A Gloucester business will have to wait until the autumn to hear if it will ever get back the full £111,000 stolen from it by a former staff member.

Rebecca Phillips, 28, of Stroud Road, Gloucester, admitted two charges of fraudulent activity against her former employers, CC Ground Investigation of Innsworth, when she appeared in crown court.

Phillips, who fleeced her then employers out of more £111,000 to gamble, buy gifts for her partner, and fund her own shopping obsession, has been given six months 'to sort her life out' before a judge sentences her for fraud.

Prosecutor Nicholas Lee told the court Phillips, who worked as an office administrator, was offending against the firm over a long period of time.

Mr Lee said: "The fraud had a significant impact on the company and there have been a large number of victims.

"An investigation into the company credit card was carried out while she was off sick from work. It was found she had spent £111,994.95, which has subsequently been refunded by the bank - leaving the bank seeking redress from Phillips.

Defending Sarah Jenkins said: "There are some disturbing circumstances surrounding the case. Phillips, at the age of 18, started a relationship with a much older man and she became distanced from her family.

"Within a few months he spent their rent money on gambling and she resorted to using the company credit card. She fully intended in paying the funds back.

"She resorted to gambling on line herself in a bid to try and win the money, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

"Then when she discovered that her partner had an affair she spent money on him to buy his affection."

The court was told that Phillips also suffered from a compulsion to buy items to satisfy her immediate needs.

Mrs Jenkins said: "This activity did not give her long term gratification as many of the items remain unopened or unused.

"It was the buying that gave her the pleasure and satisfaction rather than the greed of wanting these items.

"She has moved back home and her parents who want her to receive the physiological help she deserves.

"It's the compulsion that drives her and she is still doing it to this day."

Judge Ian Lawrie QC observed: "She is rather persistent in her dishonesty. This was an appalling course of behaviour."

Judge Lawrie told Phillips: "You have fleeced a small company of £111,000; your offending is pretty consistent for which the guidelines suggest that you should be serving a period of custody.

"You have a messy personal life.

"However, I am going to defer sentence for six months. I'm giving you the chance to have treatment at the Priory Hospital in Bristol and hope that you will engage with the Nelson Trust in Gloucester."

Phillips will also be subject to Proceeds of crime hearing on September 14.